Anderson Arroyo, a 24-year-old Colombian defender, recently concluded his eighth loan spell without ever playing for Liverpool. He completed his loan stint with Spanish club Burgos CF, helping them secure a 1-1 draw against Alcorcon and finish ninth in the Segunda Division. This marked Arroyo’s 16th appearance for the club since joining them from FC Andorra in January.
Despite spending time with eight different clubs on loan over the course of six seasons, Arroyo remains a Liverpool player. He last signed a contract extension in 2022, which keeps him tied to Anfield until next year. However, there is a possibility that he may finally secure a permanent move to another club this summer. It is anticipated that most of the interest in Arroyo will come from Spain, where he has experienced six out of his eight loan spells.
Arroyo’s loan experiences have taken him to various clubs, including Salamanca, Mirandes, Alaves, Andorra, and Burgos. He has also gained valuable experience playing in Belgium and the Czech Republic. Despite signing for Liverpool from Colombian side Fortaleza in 2018, Arroyo has faced challenges in obtaining a UK work permit, which has prevented him from playing or training with the club for most of the time. In fact, during Liverpool’s pre-season in 2019, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out of the tour of the United States.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, was asked about Arroyo’s status by a Colombian journalist while in the US. It appeared that Klopp was uncertain about the player’s identity, highlighting the lack of involvement and recognition Arroyo has received at the club. This situation is reminiscent of other players like Brazilian midfielder Allan Rodrigues and Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who have faced similar challenges in securing work permits.
Unlike Awoniyi, who managed to obtain a UK work permit and subsequently returned to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest, Arroyo’s chances of doing the same seem slim. It is likely that Liverpool will look to sell him this summer, as it may be their last opportunity to generate revenue from his transfer. If Arroyo leaves on a free transfer in 2025, the club would not be eligible for compensation. Therefore, Liverpool’s options are to either sell him or loan him out again if he agrees to another contract extension.
While Liverpool is set to release several players this summer, including left-back Adam Lewis and forward Mateusz Musialowski, Arroyo will not be part of that group. The club’s focus will be on finding the best solution for the Colombian defender, whether it involves a permanent move or another loan spell.